Chris’s Story

Site created on November 28, 2018


Remembering Christopher O'Gara



Sunday, March 3 11:30 a.m..



Ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m.

Please join Joan Singer, Ansel Barnum, and friends for a remembrance ceremony, followed by a light lunch

West Falmouth Library
 575 W. Falmouth Highway
West Falmouth, MA 02574
The space is fully accessible with parking available
Contact Priscilla at  with questions 
 
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Chris to:
Camp Caravan (http://www.campcaravan.org/d_support/support.html)
or checks made out to MREC
 Millers River Educational Cooperative
 PO Box 122
 Royalston, MA 01368

Jonathan Bourne Public Library
or Gift Fund
19 Sandwich Road
Bourne, MA 02532



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Previously:


As you may have heard, Chris had a stroke just before Thanksgiving. It affected his right side, speech, and swallowing. But his memory and awareness are fully intact.



 He received excellent care in the intensive care unit and neuro unit of Brigham and Women's hospital and is now at Spaulding Rehab in Sandwich. They're doing a great job--and so is he.  Chris is receiving hours of therapies at Spaulding including speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more. And he's making a huge effort.



It is possible to visit him there, although he also needs to rest a lot in between, because these therapies are hard work. He is not as easy to understand as before but you know Chris--he makes himself understood, one way or another.



At this point, it is hard to say what is going to happen next. The Spaulding folks advise keeping all our options open. It is possible that a lot of the function could come barreling back. Or it may be a longer road.



The most important thing is to keep plugging for Chris. A positive attitude from us--and from him,  can have real bearing on a better outcome.



All prayers and good wishes are gratefully accepted.



Do you want to visit? That is certainly possible. But even without a visit, there are lots of ways to be helpful.



It may make more sense, for example,  to help prepare the house for his homecoming, or to send cards, which he loves. We'll start organizing via this site, as the specifics emerge.



Thanks for being there!

Newest Update

A final thank you

Journal entry by Ansel Barnum —

What better day than Saint Patrick's Day to send out a closing entry to this Journal.  

Two weeks ago an amazing community of family and friends assembled from around the country to honor Chris for one last time. For both my mother and myself it was one of the most moving services we could have imagined. Held in the 'church' of Chris's weekly pilgrimage, the library served as the perfect venue to toast a man whose life was buried in books. Although, it didn't look like a library after the transformations made by so many hands adding so many personal touches. With floral decorations, elephant center pieces, gourmet food tables, home made desserts, and walls of books, the room turned into a customized Chris sanctuary. There could be no finer stage for the tributes, stories, poems, songs, and memories that would follow. Each one reminded everyone there of what a beautiful life we were all connected to. 

What was perhaps most moving of all though was seeing so many people come together. This was the greatest tribute of all, and the greatest solace of all.

Thank you to everyone who helped put together this remarkable celebration of Chris' life.

Thank you to everyone who supported us during these difficult times.

And thank you to everyone who is reading these words, because you are one of the friends in the community that knits our lives together. 


Stay in touch,


Joan & Ansel
Read More of the journal titled "A final thank you"
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